Illinois Budget 11.25.09

Thursday

Nov 26, 2009 at 12:01 AMNov 26, 2009 at 3:01 PM

Illinois Budget 11.25.09

Here are the top Illinois stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at www.gatehousenewsservice.com. Please check www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/news in the evening for changes to story lineup, including breaking news.

If your paper has a story, digest item, opinion piece or standalone photo to share, please e-mail it to Illinois@gatehousemedia.com.

Your news takes center stage as part of remake in New York
http://ghnewsroom.com/article/your-news-takes-center-stage-part-remake-new-york

THANKSGIVING DAY:

There will be no Illinois budget on Thanksgiving Day. If you have significant breaking news, contact Casey Laughman at (217) 816-3343 or claughman@gatehousemedia.com. There will be a budget on Friday.

TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT:

'Messiah' gives singer Handel on holidays

ROCKFORD – In all of her 69 years, Sylvia Service has never celebrated Christmas without a performance of George Frederick Handel’s “Messiah.” But for this Jamaican-born woman, the famed Hallelujah chorus is more than just a holiday tradition. It’s a song of praise, a hymn of thanksgiving. By Elizabeth Davies of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1945268410/Messiah-gives-singer-Handel-on-holidays

State Briefs. News from around the state.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1682940256/State-Briefs-11-25-09

Family found dead at Addison home

ADDISON – The Addison Police Department is investigating a murder-suicide at home in the village. Responding to a 911 call, police found a man, a woman and two boys dead this morning, officers said. By Eleni Demertzis of Suburban Life Publications. Will be updated.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x2072221648/Family-found-dead-at-Addison-home

This week at the Statehouse:

For the weekend:

STATEHOUSE INSIDER: Doug Finke is off this week.

POLITICS ON THE WEB: Republican Jim Ryan asks Facebook fans who they're rooting for in college football. Gov. Pat Quinn touts a new campaign endorsement from his barber. Republican Adam Andrzejewski asks for $20 donations to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. This definitely isn't campaigning for governor in 1980, 1990 – or even 2006. The emergence of the Internet as an every day part of life has political candidates pushing the boundaries of "e-campaigning," from Facebook and Twitter posts to YouTube videos and blogs. Those running for statewide office see the Internet and its new social networking tools as inexpensive, invaluable gateways to reach voters – their way on their own terms. By Ryan Keith of the State Journal-Register. For use in weekend editions.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1682939487/Candidates-turn-to-Web-to-reach-out-to-voters

ILLINOIS BUSINESS
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois_business

Retailers adding workers before the holiday season

PEORIA – Along with bell ringers, fruit cake and carols, the holidays bring something else: jobs. That's no small matter in a down economy, even if the positions are part time and limited to the end of the year. By Steve Tarter of the Peoria Journal Star. To localize: Are local retailers adding workers for the holiday season?
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1945268274/Retailers-adding-workers-before-the-holiday-season

Rockford airport's trash deal might draw airlines

ROCKFORD – Nearly 150 airplanes coming from foreign countries land at Chicago Rockford International Airport each year. The trash from those planes used to have an even longer journey. To meet federal requirements, trucks had to ship international garbage to a sterilization facility in Indianapolis after every flight. But for more than a year, Rockton company Clean Earth Pet Systems has done the job instead. By Thomas V. Bona of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x730411695/Rockford-airports-trash-deal-might-draw-airlines

Chuck Sweeny: Manufacturers, schools must woo next generation

As I often say to people, countries that don’t manufacture become colonies of those that do. President Obama’s trip last week to China illustrates how true that is becoming. The president’s trip was light on the usual lectures in democracy. This time it was China’s turn to lecture us, specifically on the need to get our fiscal house in order by reducing our astounding national debt. China, which manufacturers most of our consumer goods, is worried, because to keep America a going concern, they’ve had to buy about $1 trillion of our debt.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x2072221561/Chuck-Sweeny-Manufacturers-schools-must-woo-next-generation

CHILLICOTHE – Spacious. Luxurious. Exquisite attention to detail. Handicap accessible - that's not the first adjective that jumps to mind with Karen Roche's home, but it's the crucial one. Roche designed this sprawling brick Chillicothe home after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and her husband, Ed, was diagnosed with cancer. The couple was still living in Las Vegas, where they had retired, but they decided to move back to Illinois to be close to her family. By Jennifer Davis of the Peoria Journal Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x215408684/Chillicothe-home-built-to-help-homeowner-live-independently

Kathryn Rem: Gingerbread men at Festival of Trees: Sweet!

Gingerbread men are a highlight of Memorial's Festival of Trees. At the Gingerbread Cookie Bakery, about 100 volunteers decorate and sell 13,800 gingerbread men throughout the weeklong festival — it ends Sunday – in the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x441556458/Kathryn-Rem-Gingerbread-men-at-Festival-of-Trees-Sweet

Diabetes expert: Try vegetarian lifestyle

ROCKFORD – Diabetes expert Caroline Trapp wants you to give yourself three weeks — OK, four counting a week to prepare to do it right — to become a vegetarian. She says a low-fat, plant-based diet can be as effective as some medicines in fighting type 2 diabetes. But she didn’t discount other possible benefits such as weight control, more energy and better-looking skin. By Mike DeDoncker of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/health/x1792912608/Diabetes-expert-Try-vegetarian-lifestyle

Hospitals seek to cut emergency-room overuse

ROCKFORD – Beginning in December, some patients using SwedishAmerican Hospital’s emergency department will leave with their treatment and a health-care connection that could keep them from coming back. Dr. Kathleen Kelly, SwedishAmerican’s chief medical officer, said the hospital has hired a nurse case manager who will follow up, usually before they leave after being treated, with patients who use the emergency room repeatedly or who use it for nonemergencies. The object, she said, is to try to connect them with a primary-care physician or other appropriate provider who could take charge of their medical care. By Mike DeDoncker of the Rockford Register Star. To localize: Do local ERs have similar programs?
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1682939825/Hospitals-seek-to-cut-emergency-room-overuse

I always look forward to the weekend after Thanksgiving because it marks the traditional kickoff of the holiday season. Once the leftover turkey has been refrigerated, the shopping can begin, the tree can go up and the holiday specials can take over the TV. At least, that’s how it used to be. Apparently I missed the memo informing us that the Christmas season now begins almost two full months before the holiday itself.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1792912403/Amanda-Jacobs-Christmas-already-Bah-humbug

Phil Luciano: Farewell to Oprah, TV's pied piper

I can't avoid Oprah anymore. I don't click with most pop-cultural phenomenons. Though you might find this amazing, I somehow get through life without Dr. Phil, a Shamwow, Lady GaGa, a slap chop, Cesar Millan or a Snuggie. Just call me a clueless Neanderthal, but I just have no need to waste my time or money on such schlock. And for the longest time, I could simply ignore Oprah.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x2072221422/Phil-Luciano-Farewell-to-Oprah-TVs-pied-piper

The polling firm Gallup reported this year that 39 percent of Americans accept the truth of evolution, that 36 percent have no opinion on it, and that 25 said they don’t believe it. With such apathy toward the natural world, it’s no wonder children from other nations have surpassed American students in science and technology.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1792912391/Jerry-Moore-The-primitive-thinking-of-creationism-makes-our-country-weak

Editorial: Can America manage a day without complaints?

Fed up with a culture of negativity that produces complaints 24-7-365 about the economy, politics and the mundane matters of everyday life, a Missouri congressman decided he'd try to do something about it. Democrat Emanuel Cleaver introduced a resolution with a simple message: Cut the griping. He wants to see the day before Thanksgiving in future years declared Complaint-Free Wednesday, dedicated to setting the criticism aside and acknowledging that whining does nothing to solve problems. An editorial from the Peoria Journal Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/editorials/x2072221425/Editorial-Can-America-manage-a-day-without-complaints

Editorial: Shop smart, but remember real value of Christmas

If you, like millions of other Americans, will shop for gifts Friday, keep this in mind: Retailers — especially locally owned companies — need your business this year. Think of it as giving twice — first for the recipient and then for the fortunate business that gets your dollar. However, Black Friday has a different connotation for the many people who are unemployed or who have fallen on hard times this holiday season. Now it’s more important than ever not to overextend yourself. An editorial from the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/editorials/x441556419/Editorial-Shop-smart-but-remember-real-value-of-Christmas

This year, in lieu of preaching, I’ll restrict my thanks to football itself. Namely, the MVP race we have going on right now. By Peoria Journal Star sports editor Bill Liesse. Inside the Lines for this weekend’s games will be posted Friday for use Sunday.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/sports/x1945268263/Inside-the-Lines-Giving-thanks-for-exceptional-performances

BEARS:

Matt Trowbridge of the Rockford Register Star will be writing a mainbar and notes from Halas Hall.

BASKETBALL FOLO: Illinois tuned up for its weekend in Las Vegas with a Tuesday night win over Wofford. A look back at that game and a look ahead to the tournament this weekend. By John Supinie. Will be posted this evening.

For Friday:

TALK OF PEORIA: Before D.J. Richardson became the self-described "talk of Peoria,'' he had to survive a year of prep school far from home and his Peoria Central roots. It took a few reminders from Illinois coach Bruce Weber that Richardson had to finish the job at Findlay College Prep rather than return home early. Serves as Illinois-Utah preview. WIth preview capsule. For use in Friday editions.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/sports/x1945268698/Richardson-returns-to-Las-Vegas-as-key-player-for-Illini

ILLINOIS FOOTBALL:

Illini seek redemption for lost season by knocking off red-hot Bearcats

Life is good for No. 5 Cincinnati and coach Brian Kelly. One of six undefeated football teams in the nation, Cincinnati has won 10 games or more in each of the last three seasons, and the Bearcats are riding a 16-game regular-season winning streak. Cincinnati has won its first 10 games for the first time in school history leading into hosting Illinois in a non-conference game Friday at Nippert Stadium. While Illinois seeks a win to soothe the pain from a disappointing season and perhaps get some momentum for the offseason, Kelly is a hot property and often mentioned as possibly the next coach at Notre Dame, so the Bearcats must deal with different distractions than Illinois. By John Supinie. For use Friday, Nov. 27.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/sports/x441556143/Illini-seek-redemption-for-lost-season-by-knocking-off-red-hot-Bearcats

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.